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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Anthony Marchant <wlllmood165@msn.com>
Reply-To: <wlllmood10@tlen.pl>
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:31:22 +0000
Subject: Attention: Mercer



Dear Mercer,



Sequel to your non response of my earlier letter to you. I am the attorney

and trustee to the Will of my late client Mr. Morris Mercer. My late client

deposited as family belongings in a bank here in London the sum of Seventeen

Million United States Dollars, with the hope of transferring it to his

country as soon as he is on leave. Since his death I have made several

attempts to locate any of my clients extended relatives, but this attempt so

far has been unsuccessful. I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the

money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared

unserviceable by the Bank where the deposit was made. The Bank has issued me

a notice to provide the next of kin or have the money confiscated within the

next fourteen official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in

locating the relatives for over two years, I seek your consent to present

you as the next of kin of the deceased. All legal documents to aid your

claim to this fund and to prove your relationship with the deceased will be

arranged for. Your help will be appreciated with 50% of the total sum.



All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this transaction

through. I guarantee that this transaction will be executed under a

legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this letter if

you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you. However, if you

do please include your phone and fax number in your response for better

communication. God bless you and your family.



Mr. Anthony Marchant



FAMILY LAW CHAMBERS

178 STRAND,

LONDON WC2R 1AP,

ENGLAND

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam